2 L.I.T. Chicks (Leaders In Tech)

We did it, y'all!   Season 3 is officially in the books! In this special season finale of the 2 LIT Chicks Podcast, your girls Alicia and Fern slide back into the studio (live and in person!) to reflect on twelve unforgettable episodes of giving it back and paying it forward. From veterans turned tech leaders to PhDs, pageant queens, project management powerhouses, and cybersecurity SHEroes, this...

What happens when a corporate tech executive trades a Microsoft career for a role leading one of the largest Boys & Girls Clubs in the country? In Episode 13 of the 2 L.I.T. Chicks Podcast, Fern and Alicia McKay sit down with Libby Sailor Wright, President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, for a powerful conversation about purpose-driven leadership, running a nonprofit...

This episode of 2 LIT Chicks features a powerhouse collaboration with Renard and Amir, the hosts of the Black Belts and Boardrooms podcast.   Combining the discipline of martial arts with the high-stakes world of corporate leadership and technology, this conversation explores how to remain calm under pressure, the ethical landscape of AI, and why "soft skills" are the ultimate career accelerator....

In Episode 11, we sit down with Army veteran, tech sales executive, husband, father, servant leader, and storyteller Kenny Claytor — and baby, the gems were GEM-ING.   From sharpshooter precision to corporate leadership discipline, from building transferable skills to branding yourself beyond your job title, Kenny breaks down what it really takes to transition, pivot, and build legacy.   We touche...

What happens when rhinestones meet research? This week on 2 Lit Chicks, Fern and Alicia sit down with the phenomenal Meghan Leak — a clinical research coordinator at UT Southwestern and a longtime beauty pageant competitor — for a conversation that proves women don’t have to choose just one lane.   Megan brings the full duality: STEM brilliance, pageant confidence, and a deep commitment to advocac...

In this powerful returning episode of 2 LIT Chicks Podcast, we sit down with Tiffany Martin, Founder & CEO of Visio Tech, tech strategist, accessibility advocate, and living proof that resilience plus purpose equals impact.   Tiffany takes us on an unforgettable journey — from launching a tech company inside a hospital room to redefining accessibility, AI ethics, and what leadership looks like...

In this episode of 2 L.I.T. Chicks, we’re live in the studio with technical program leader Chakita Holmes, a seasoned project and program manager with over 20 years of experience navigating tech, transformation, and leadership.   Chakita shares her non-traditional journey into tech, how transferable skills opened doors she never planned for, and why project management is one of the most powerful a...

This week on 2 LIT Chicks, Fern and Alicia sit down with two powerhouses from HEL Resources — Chris Berry and Samuel Davis — for a conversation that is equal parts brilliance, heart, and Black excellence.   From software-defined vehicles and AI disruption to military service, mentorship, community impact, and that crucial mindset shift from learning → earning → returning, this episode brings gems...

In this episode of the Two Lit Chicks podcast, Fern and Alicia sit down with Dr. Laura Jones, a distinguished cybersecurity and risk management executive whose career spans military service, global consulting, academia, and corporate leadership.   Dr. Jones shares her journey from Special Forces support to becoming an influential voice in enterprise risk, cyber leadership, and emerging technology...

Welcome back to another episode of Two Lit Chicks, and today we are technically Two Lit Chicks… with Two More Lit Chicks. Yes, it’s a FOUR-LIT-CHICKS kind of day.   In this powerhouse episode, Fern and Alicia sit down with two STEM queens who have been shaking tables, building pipelines, and breaking ceilings for girls of color long before STEM became a hashtag.   Meet Saki Melton, founder and exe...

In this inspiring episode of Two Lit Chicks, Fern and Alicia sit down with Veena Somareddy, CEO and founder of Neuro Rehab VR, a breakthrough startup transforming rehab through immersive virtual reality and AI-powered therapy. Veena shares her journey from game design student to award-winning tech founder, the science behind neuroplasticity, and how VR accelerates recovery for stroke survivors, sp...

In this inspiring episode of 2 L.I.T. Chicks – Leaders in Tech, Dr. Alicia and Fern sit down with Tina Helton, a cybersecurity governance, risk, and compliance manager with over 25 years in IT.   Tina’s story is one of grit, brilliance, and grace — from implementing global ERP systems to leading AI integration in cybersecurity, to navigating one of life’s hardest challenges: breast cancer.   💡 We...

In this episode of 2 Lit Chicks, Fern and Alicia sit down with Dee Maddox, Chief Excellence Officer of DMX Consulting, to unpack the journey from employee to entrepreneur — and from acceptable to exceptional. Dee shares how the pandemic became her catalyst for change, her powerful “DEED to Success” framework, and why building better bosses begins with self-awareness.   From NASA stories to the rol...

In this electrifying episode of 2 LIT Chicks, hosts Fern Johnson and Alicia sit down with Eddie Bright Jr., Global CEO of ApTask Global, a veteran-certified, African-American-owned staffing powerhouse shaping the future of work.   Eddie drops straight gems on how AI is transforming recruiting, why technology and leadership go hand in hand, and what it truly means to lead with gratitude. From the r...

2 Lit Chicks Podcast: ITSMF Awards Gala Episode “What happens when the future of tech walks into a room—and every voice in that room feels seen, heard, and lit up?” Join your host Fern Johnson on a front-row journey into the I-T-S-M-F Technology Leaders Awards Gala, straight from Houston, Texas. In this special episode of Two Lit Chicks, we bring you behind the velvet rope—into the vibrant energy,...

Welcome to "Work Different" - the podcast that's challenging everything you thought you knew about business, productivity, and success. Its your girl Fern or 2 LIT Chicks Podcast, and today we're diving into a book that flipped the business world on its head: "Rework" by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson. Basically, you need to STOP talking…and START working!!! Smarter, not harder…driving p...

Navigating Career Pivot Points: Insights from Tech Leaders Two Lit Chicks Podcast with Fern Johnson & Tariro Mupamhadz Episode Overview This episode explores career transitions in the tech industry through the experiences of host Fern Johnson and guest Tariro Mupamhadz. It offers practical strategies for navigating pivotal career moments and developing leadership skills. Episode Structure Intr...

What happens when a power couple in tech trades NYC hustle for Amsterdam harmony? In this heartfelt and wisdom-rich episode of 2 L.I.T. Chicks, host Fern Johnson sits down with Carla and David Ogunrinde — longtime technologists, entrepreneurs, and partners in both life and leadership — to talk about what it really means to go global with intention.   From navigating long-term marriage through inte...

2 L.I.T. Chicks Podcast: Digital Disciplines - Transforming Business Through Technology Join host Fern Johnson and three tech leaders from HP as they break down the four key digital disciplines that are revolutionizing business today. In this insightful episode, discover how companies like Netflix, Apple, and Spotify are using data, personalization, innovation, and integrated solutions to create e...

In this episode Fern and guests discuss the evolving landscape of gaming, the importance of passion and authenticity, and provide valuable advice for anyone looking to break into the gaming sector.   Explore the stories of unexpected fame, the importance of community, and the future vision for gaming and esports over the next few years.   00:00 Accidental TikTok Fame 00:18 Welcome to 2 Lit Chicks...

🚨 PSA: Stop managing everyone else's comfort before your own. Your power lies in understanding what you bring to the room and choosing how you want to show up. For every leader navigating today's complex landscape, this episode offers a roadmap to authentic presence and sustainable impact. In this powerful Episode about 'Self Awareness', executive powerhouses Renea J Pierre and Tia Buckham-White...

Our Season 2 premiere episode features "Chaos Whisperer" Cass Cooper tackling economic anxiety and redefining success. We dive into self-awareness, transferable skills, and setting healthy boundaries at work.   Cass drops wisdom on conquering workplace fear (especially around DEI), maintaining resilience, and remembering your worth isn't defined by your job title.   Listen now and share!

Three first-time authors reveal how they turned self-doubt into successful books, including one who was told she "didn't have enough experience to write" - only to prove that critic wrong. Join hosts Fern Johnson and Dr. Alicia Makaye on 2 LIT Chicks as they dive deep with these remarkable women who broke through their barriers to share their stories. What You'll Discover: Unconventional writing t...

Ever wonder how nonprofits are quietly revolutionizing the tech industry for women and girls? Join hosts Fern Johnson and Dr. Alicia Makaye as they sit down with Anamika Gupta, President of DFW Alliance for Technology and Women, and Shawna Spence, a senior program manager whose career was transformed by nonprofit initiatives. What You'll Discover - The hidden challenges women of color face in tech...

Join Two Lit Chicks as they chat with Missy Burton and Gregg Young, two artists and technologists living the STEAM dream! What's STEAM? STEM + Arts = A powerful fusion of creative and analytical thinking Featured Guests Two innovators bridging technology and art Sharing insights on how this intersection: Drives their creativity Shapes future breakthroughs Keeps them from being "starving artists" E...